Bill > S04886

This bill establishes strict privacy protections for individualized fare payment data collected by the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority and the New York City Transit Authority. The legislation prohibits these agencies from disclosing a passenger's fare payment information to police or law enforcement agencies, with two narrow exceptions: when there is an imminent threat to life or safety (with notification to the data subject), or when disclosure is made pursuant to a search warrant with specific probable cause. The bill also mandates that fare payment cards or tokens be available for cash purchase, not linked to personal identity, and cost no more than five dollars. Additionally, the bill creates robust enforcement mechanisms, including allowing data subjects to seek judicial relief with potential damages of $5,000 per violation, punitive damages, and mandatory attorneys' fees. The authority must also quarterly report any data sharing to the inspector general, who can refer improper disclosures to the attorney general. These provisions aim to protect transit riders' privacy by preventing the potential misuse of their transportation data by law enforcement or other third parties.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4886